ara pacis Flashcards
when was the ara pacis dedicated
9bc
when was the ara pacis built
13bc
where was the area packs located
north eastern corner of campus martinis between the mausoleum of augustus and the river tiber
what is the ara pacis’ full name
the ara pacis augustae (the alter of augustan peace)
what would the ara pacis be used for
rituals, sacrifices and cult activity
and an alter for performing sacrifices primarily for the good of rome
what is the significance of the ara pacis
to celebrate augustus’ triumphant return from wars in spain and gaul
symbol of religion
what themes does the ara pacis convey
peace
religion
imperial family
what does the north side frieze depict
family of augustus
priests of the quindecemviri
no augustus
who are the priests of quindecemviri
responsible for protecting the sybilline texts in the temple of palatine apollo
who is depicted on the southern frieze
augustus
flamines
barbarian prince
livia
antonia minor
germanicus
drusus
who is antonia minor
niece of antony married to drusus
augustus pardoned antony’s friends and family
what tells us that the women on the processional reliefs are modest and moral
they are shown with head coverings
what is significant about the imperial family on the processional reliefs
the imperial family are no more prominent than the other romans, especially augustus. this is reference to augustus’ role as princeps - first among equals
now is augustus depicted in the processional relief
wearing a toga rather than military dress. presents him as a civil leader. also holding religious symbols
apart from Tellus who might be the other central figures on the Tellus relief and scrolling ancanthss relief
Tellus (mother earth)
italia (italy personified)
pax (peace personified)
venus
what is the significance of the children on the frieze
represent the future of rome and seem to promise a continuation of the augustan golden age into future generations
what does the nymph on the right of the tell us relief and scrolling ancathus relief represent
the beneficial winds of the sea
what is the nymph of beneficial winds doing
sitting on a sea snake flying about the rushing waves
except people and plants what does the tell us relief and scrolling acanthus relief depict
sacrificial animals
where can we see signs of fertility in the tellis relief and the scrolling acanthus relief
the children and the loose clothing that emphasised the goddess’ breasts
what does the nymph on the left of the tell us and acanthus relief represent
the benificial winds of the earth
what can we see beneath the beneficial winds of the earth
grasses and an upturned jug pouring forth water and a small heron perched on its handle
what are both nymphs wearing
a garland
their head and bodies are framed by their billowing upper mantle clutched in one hand
what is the significance of the diverse flora and fauna on the lower section of all the reliefs
diverse flora and fauna from across the empire to show off the bounty of peace
name one animal on the lower section of the reliefs
a swan
who is the main figure on the other relief of the ara pacis
roma - sitting on a trophy of weapons
what does the roma relief reference
pax
pax romana
what reliefs are part of the public front
-tellus relief and scrolling acanthus relief
-roma relief and scrolling acanthus relief
what reliefs are part of the ceremonial front
-lupercal relief and scrolling acanthus relief
-aeneas relief and scrolling acanthus relief
who/ what is depicted on the lupercal relief
mars
lupercal romulus
remus
a shepherd
what is a lupercal
a cave at the southwest foot of the palatine hill in rome
the cave where the lupa (she wolf) brought up the infant twins romulus and remus
what do both the reliefs on the ceremonial front emphasise
the connection of augustus to the foundation of rome
and the connection between the foundation of rome and religion
other than aeneas who else may be depicted on the aeneas relief
numa
- second roman king
what is aeneas doing on his relief
he has his head covered indication that he is taking part in a religious ritual.
this scene takes place as he arrives in italy and shows him making a sacrfifice of a Lavinian sow to the household gods of troy.
who else is depicted on the aeneas relief
two young attendants holding laurel wreaths
what animal can we see on the aeneas relief
a sacrificial sow
what building can we see on the aeneas relief
a temple on a hill
who would the ceremonial front be seen by
only those who would make sacrifices at the alter
what do the festoon panels reference
the bounty of pax
what is the difference between the festoon panels today and what they would’ve been like in ancient times
they would’ve been brightly painted
what type of bowls are seen on the ara pacis
libation bowls
what does a small relief in the alter show
a procession of animals being led to sacrifice
what people does another small relief on the alter show
the vestal virgins
what text talks about the dedication of the ara pacis
the res gestae says the senate voted to dedicate it after augustus’ return from spain
it’s doors face easy and west what is the significance of this
represents the rising and setting sun, the extent of the empire
the vibes on the ara pacis are oddly symmetrical what could this represent
the fact that this blessed state was the result of strict social order. the vibes are regular and formal - perhaps a comment on the rigidity of augustus’ regime
